Veterinary care at the State Fair

The public can attend the fair, held at Cal Expo in Sacramento, through July 28.

Located in a School of Veterinary Medicine tent next to the Cal Expo's Livestock Pavilion, the nursery provides families with memorable fair experiences and inspires youngsters to pursue careers in veterinary medicine or farming.

"Our participation is a great way for veterinary students to share our education with the public and gives fair visitors a wonderful opportunity to learn something new about livestock and baby animals," says fourth-year veterinary student Amanda Plunkett.

Beyond the organization of the nursery and hand-milking exhibits, UC Davis also provides the following services at the fair:

Leading the way for UC Davis is veterinary faculty member Joannie Rowe, a 30-year veteran specializing in the preventive health care and reproduction of cattle, goats, sheep and pigs.

Joining her are fellow teaching hospital clinicians Bret McNabb and Catalina Cabrera. This team instructs students about livestock reproduction, obstetrics and herd health.

At the fair, a trained crew of veterinary and animal science students — numbering in the dozens — gains important experience for not only their studies, but also for their future careers.

Supervised by the veterinary faculty and technicians, these students rotate responsibilities of animal care, milking, butter making and animal examinations. They also make public presentations about what's happening in the nursery and answer questions about animal breeds, reproduction and related topics.